2002 Volvo S60 T5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great performance - rubbish gearbox

Faults:

Auto transmission died at 87,000 miles. The gearbox is under specified for this car. Volvo UK and Volvo global said they think this is normal failure. The problem is probably made worse by their no change of transmission fluid policy.

2002 Volvo S60 2.4T SE from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I wanted a cheap runabout after my wife bought a new MBA 160.

I previously had a Volvo S80, but wanted something smaller and saw this for less than £2K.

The car is a real wolf in sheep's clothing and I love it! It is reliable, comfortable, still turns heads and is a perfect high speed cruiser. Fuel around town is about 26 MPG on the motorway at 70 MPHit is closer to 40 MPG.

The wide tyres (225 45 17) are a bit noisy and the turning circle is not the smallest. These are my only negative comments but even these aren't really negative.

Would I buy one again? Without hesitation! If I give it away after a couple of years, I have lost less than the average motorist loses annually.

2002 Volvo S60 S 2.4 D5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Faults:

General Comments:

Best car I have ever owned. I bought it with high mileage, 160.000 miles. I drove it up to 190.000 miles and it looks like it will run at least 150.000 more miles.

I have full history from the car. It was faultless until the auxiliary pump and pulley broke... after 6 years and 170.000 miles. Now it needs a full service including most of the suspension bushes, but it is normal after all this years and mileage. I was reluctant before buying the car because I heard of many problems with D5 regarding fuel injectors. Mine is 190.000 miles and increasing fast. Start first time even if it's -20 degrees or +40 (you get this difference of temperature in Romania).

Regarding the performance, I LOVE IT. I had a Passat 1.8 T with modified engine up to 220 bhp, but I can't compare it with the D5. In a straight line the Passat would be faster, but on a normal road from any point of view S60 is better. Better handling, better and BIGGER brakes, the torque and power is very well delivered.

Ride is quite hard; you feel the bumps in the road, especially on 17` or bigger wheels, but for the handling that it offers it's perfect.

The car is perfect for long distances. When on motorway, set cruise control at 80mph if in UK, or 110 in Germany, and relax in the orthopedic leather seats with the Dolby Prologic sound system. When driving on twisty roads disengage cruise control... and enjoy. It is a rival for any BMW or Audi with a diesel engine up to 3000cc.

Fuel consumption is very good. I easily get 50mpg on long run and gentle foot up to 80mph (6L/100km) or 45mpg if I am in a hurry with speeds up to 110-115mph (6.8L/100km). Round town I get something like 30-35mpg (8.5-9L/100km)

What I don't like... well the turning circle is very poor, but you get used to it in time.

The rear leg room is awful if you have 2 medium to large adults in the front. I am 6.0 (1.84) and 93 kg, so in the rear seat only a slim person or a female would fit.

22nd Jan 2010, 20:44

My odometer now reads 210.000 miles. Since my previous post I have done an alternator rebuild, some suspension bushes (they are quite cheap compared to other cars I have owned) and replaced the turbo. The air conditioning pump is on the way as well. I have checked the fuel injectors, and after all this mileage, still have loads of life left.

It seems that after all this, I will have a car good to go for at least 100.000 miles without repairs, hopefully.